"I hear the emperor is plotting rebellion!"
"What do you think should be done, Master Shi?!"
In Xiapi, Xuzhou, Hu Zun lay on a folding couch and posed a thoroughly explosive question.
Shi Bao, General Who Rouses Martial Might, stared at Hu Zun in astonishment and promptly shuddered.
Qingzhou and Xuzhou currently had two generals: Hu Zun, General Who Conquers the East, and Shi Bao, General Who Rouses Martial Might.
Hu Zun naturally held greater authority. As one of the Four Conquering Generals, he utterly eclipsed Shi Bao in rank, reputation, seniority, military achievements, and every other respect-even his birth.
Hu Zun came from a great clan, after all, and commanded the Qingzhou-Xuzhou theater.
Shi Bao was military governor of Qingzhou alone and nominally remained under Hu Zun's jurisdiction.
Shi Bao's origins were very lowly, perhaps not even qualifying him as a member of the humble families, but he was exceptionally handsome. People at the time said, "Shi Zhongrong, unrivaled in beauty."
Back when he sold iron in Luoyang, Sima Yi had discovered him and promoted him to an official post in the Imperial Secretariat. In truth, however, the person who truly appreciated Shi Bao was not Sima Yi, but Sima Shi.
Sima Yi had once said, "Shi Bao is lustful and frivolous in conduct, unfit for important responsibilities."
Sima Shi, however, believed the man was talented and could be of use to him. Later, Sima Shi had also warned Sima Zhao that this man could be employed, but needed a little knocking into line. This had always left Sima Zhao thinking his elder brother disliked Shi Bao.
Later, Sima Zhao led Hu Zun, Zhuge Dan, and other generals into battle against Zhuge Ke, losing his great army in a single engagement. Shi Bao alone preserved his strength, allowing Sima